Here I Am…
Posted by Debra Solomon Baker on July 10, 2008
I dedicate this very first post on my new teacher blog to the most voracious learner I have ever known–my father.
So, here I am. Having recently finished my fifteenth year of teaching Language Arts, I am halfway “To the Finish Line” in this complicated business known as teaching. It has been quite a ride so far, and I still have more questions than I do answers.
I have heard from strangers, incredulous that I would use my fancy (expensive) degrees to teach middle schoolers. I have watched teachers come and far too many go, onto careers more lucrative, more esteemed, and maybe less frustrating. But I have hung on– pushing, creating, questioning.
How do I engage my students more fully? Energize them? Connect with them? Make the classroom equitable? Figure out which skills will really be useful to them?
In many ways, technology is my nemesis; I refuse to divulge how long I have spent setting up this blog. It all feels so complicated–all the buttons, all the unfamiliar terms. Yet, I wrestle with technology because, as a teacher, I have come to believe in its potential, in its power. So, this year, I have been reading and reading and reading the edublogging gang, humbled by the magnitude of ideas, inspired by the passion. I have posted comments on Will Richardson‘s blog. My students have participated in a writing project using a wiki with Chris Watson’s class in Hawaii. I have attended NECC. I have listened intently to lessons given by my eight-year-old son on how to use Garageband. With my own elementary-age children, I have created a tribute (okay, to the dead dog) using Voicethread. I have engaged my students in online debates about Of Mice and Men and To Kill A Mockingbird. And, just this morning, I twittered Barack Obama, imploring him to challenge John McCain to a debate on educational policy.
More than anything, I am trying to assess technology’s potential, to pick and choose those tools that might move students in the direction of higher quality, not in louder bells and whistles.
So, Dad, here I am. I am not going to become the Secretary of Education–remember how you announced that “plan” for me when I was accepted into Harvard Graduate School of Education? I am a teacher. A wife. A daughter. A friend. A mother. A sister. A runner. A learner, like you. And now, an edublogger.
Maybe I have insights to offer that others will seek. But, If nothing else, the writing will do what writing has always done for me, ever since I was a little girl. It will clear my head. It will help me to focus and to make sense of my world.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:22 am
wow!
BTW – I still think being Secretary of Education would be a good job for you.
Good luck with the blog.
Dad
July 12th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
What a great first post!
Thanks for putting me on your blogroll.
Larry
July 12th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Deb,
I wish my kids had a teacher 1/2 as good as you. Thanks for sharing your blog with me. You are amazing……Amy
July 13th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Deb,
Amazing! I really enjoyed reading your blog-
thanks for including me-
Melissa B
July 13th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I like the shelfari embed–nice job!
July 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Look at you with the blog… very impressive Carol.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Welcome. Write for you first. Focus and a clear head are good and noble goals. I look forward to learning from and with you.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:03 am
To my Mentor,
Looks are what attracts some visitors but the quality of your posts are what keeps readers coming back.
Your blog looks great and your first post was amazing. Keep your posts coming as you do have insight to offer to the world, to Obama, to the edublogers, and to newbie teachers.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Deb,
Nice job! You are giving me hope that my goal of improving my tech skills and using such to better reach my students is possible. The stats you quoted for Dade County FL are very disheartening (even with the knowledge that this is a low income area and English is not the dominant language). I will be glad to contact Obama as you suggested. It is somewhat unbelievable that education has not been a part of their dialogue.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:37 am
I think your idea of a debate between Obama and McCain re: education is a great idea.
I’ll follow up.
Big thanks,
Yvonne
July 15th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Deb – this is fabulous! As someone who stood by and watched you encounter technology and run with it this last year, I’m really not at all surprised to see you in the blogosphere (or lamenting its difficulty). I’m still inspired by your GoogleDocs project from 3rd quarter. And I often wish you were teaching the certification courses I’m taking this summer – they’d be far better, I think… You have so much to offer; I miss learning from you!
July 16th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Thanks, Summer, for the kind words. I miss you too.
I would love to hear more about your teacher certification program. What seems effective? What does not? What would you change? How?
July 20th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Baker,
You never cease to amaze me. You have embraced technology in a way that those of us who know you could have never dreamed or imagined. Your pursuit of learning thru the use of technology has been nothing less than inspiring. First the portal, now your own blog. You Rock!! Keep it up and I may invite you to show off your tech skills at the carnival.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Great first post Deb! Welcome to the blogosphere! Really looking forward to your contributions to the conversation.
And best of luck on your upcoming race, btw. I just gasped through a 10k and it felt really good…at the end.
Best,
Will